Making the choice on learning french

Making the Choice:
Learning French as a
Second Language


Three Program Options
English Prime
 Kindergarten to Grade 3: Learning experiences to introduce French
language and culture
 Grade 4: Pre-Intensive French
 Grade 5: Intensive French
 Grades 6 through 10: Post-Intensive French
 Grades 11 and 12: Post-Intensive courses available (optional)
French Immersion (Grade 3 Entry)
 the first entry point for the Immersion program
Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry)
 the second entry point for the Immersion program


Program Options
The program is offered in
all schools.

English Prime

French Immersion
(Grade 3 Entry)

Late French Immersion
(Grade 6 Entry)

The program is offered
where numbers warrant
(as per Policy 309).

The program is offered
where numbers warrant
(as per Policy 309).

French is taught through
a literacy-based
approach. During the
Intensive French block in
Grade 5, math, music and
physical education are taught
in English.

Oral proficiency target of
Intermediate
by the end of Grade 12

Most subjects (such as
science, social studies
and math) are taught in
French. This may vary
from school to school.

Oral proficiency target of
Advanced
by the end of Grade 12

Most subjects (such as
science, social studies
and math) are taught in
French. This may vary
from school to school.

Oral proficiency target of
Intermediate Plus
by the end of Grade 12


Instructional Time in French
Grade 4:
150 minutes per week

English Prime

French Immersion
(Grade 3 Entry)

Grade 5:
60% of the school day for
one term, and 150 minutes per
week for the other term
Grades 6 to 8:
200 minutes per week

Grades 3 to 5:
80% of the school day
Grades 6 to 8:

70% of the school day

Late French Immersion
(Grade 6 Entry)

Grades 6 to 8:
70% of the school day

High School
In Grades 9 and 10, French is compulsory for all
students in all programs. In English Prime, PostIntensive French is offered in Grades 9 to 12. Some
students may choose additional courses in French. In
Immersion, students have 50% of courses in French
in Grades 9 and 10, and 25% in Grades 11 and 12.


Student Performance Targets
English Prime with
Intensive French

Grade 3 French
Immersion

Late French
Immersion

Intermediate by
Grade 10

Advanced by

Grade 12

Intermediate Plus by
Grade 12

•

Performance targets depend upon various factors (e.g., personality, attitude,
motivation, French language opportunities). Not all students will reach the program
target and some will exceed it.

•

English Prime students may choose to continue in Post-Intensive French in Grades
11 and 12. Those who achieve Intermediate in Grade 10 may also enrol in French
Immersion courses offered at Grades 11 and 12.


New Brunswick Proficiency Scale


English Prime with Intensive French
Intensive French uses a literacy-based approach focusing on the
development of all communication skills (speaking, listening,
reading, writing).
Students speak, read, and write daily on a variety of themes of
interest (e.g., me, my family, food, clothing, leisure, activities –
sports, music, etc.).
The program uses a project-based approach.

English Prime with Intensive French
Pre-Intensive French (at Grade 4): 150 minutes per week in two
or three blocks of time; this introductory phase allows students to
build initial skills such as speaking in full sentences, reading
simple texts and writing short texts
Intensive French – Intensive Block: Approximately 60% of the
day (3 hours and 15 minutes per day)
Intensive French – Less Concentrated Block: Two or three
times per week for a total of 150 minutes


English Prime with Intensive French
• Mathematics, Physical Education, Art, Music are
taught in English all year
• English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies,
Health and Personal Development and Career
Planning are taught through a compacted curriculum
during non-intensive term


English Prime with Intensive French
Combined Grade 4/5 Classes
• Based on enrolment numbers
• Grade 4 students would not take Pre-Intensive French in
Grade 4.
• Students entering Grade 4 would be enrolled in Intensive
French in both Grades 4 and 5.
• A curriculum document and supporting resources have been
developed for these classes.

English Prime with Intensive French
Combined Classes Grade 3/4
• Based on enrolment numbers
• In place of the Grade 3 learning experiences, students in
combined classes will have the opportunity to take Pre-Intensive
French in both Grades 3 and 4 (150 minutes weekly)
• Content will be adjusted accordingly


English Prime with Intensive French
Post-Intensive French
Grades 6-8

Post-Intensive French
Grades 9-10

• 2-3 blocks per week (200
minutes) of French

• 90 hours per year

• Focuses on further development
of oral, reading and writing
communication skills

• Reading texts include greater
complexity

• Introduction of relevant and ageappropriate themes

• Tasks are more demanding

• Writing tasks are more complex


Grade 3 French Immersion - Overview
•

Development of the program occurred in consultation with second language
experts and school district/school level educators

•

Research on effective instructional practices influenced development

•

Program is offered where numbers warrant (as per Policy 309)

•

Grade 3 French Immersion Program was introduced
in September 2010

•

80% of instruction is in French

•

English language arts instruction will continue to support first language
development (approximately 150 minutes per week)

•

Resources have been identified to support the program


Grade 3 French Immersion
A specific schedule has been
devised to ease children into the
Immersion program.


Grade 3 French Immersion
The Grade 3 year is divided into two blocks:
Block One (September - November)
Initial focus is on the development of French language skills
through the exploration of topics such as students’ personal
interests, preferences, the school and the community.
Block Two (December - June)
Students learn subjects through French in an integrated
approach.


Grade 3 French Immersion
Block 1 Instructional Time: 80% French
September – November

French Literacy Modules: 880 minutes per week
Mathematics in French: 300 minutes per week
English Literacy: 150 minutes per week
220 minutes per week
Specialties (Art, Music, Physical Education): (minimum of 60 minutes in
French)


Grade 3 French Immersion
Block 2 Instructional Time: 80% French
December - June
French Literacy: 575 minutes per week
Mathematics in French: 300 minutes per week
Science, Social Studies, Health, Personal
305 minutes per week
Development and Career Planning in French:
English Literacy: 150 minutes per week
220 minutes per week
Specialties (Art, Music, Physical Education): (minimum of 60
minutes in French)


Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry)
• A minimum of 70% of instruction will be in
French in Grades 6 through 8.
• Literacy skills are developed through both
French Immersion Language Arts and
English Language Arts
• In Grades 9 and 10, a minimum of 50% of
the courses are taught in French

Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry)
• Emphasis is on developing student speaking,
reading and writing skills in French at the
beginning of the school year to help students
transition to learning subjects in French
• Program is offered where numbers warrant (as
per Policy 309)
• French Language Arts Grade 6 Curriculum
was revised in 2014


High School French Second Language Programs
Grades 11 and 12
• French is compulsory until the end of Grade 10
• Students are encouraged to continue French to
ensure program proficiency targets
• Post-Intensive French courses will continue to
be offered in Grades 11 and 12


High School French Second Language Programs
Grades 11 and 12
• Grade 11 and 12 immersion students are
encouraged to maintain at least 25% in French
• French Immersion courses in Grades 11 and 12
will be available to all students with Intermediate or
higher at the end of Grade 10

Three great
options…
the choice is yours!
Please visit the FSL website
for more information.